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J.S. Jenks fundraiser nets $7,500

Members of J.S. Jenks Elementary School chorus sing "Pizza Love" at The Friends of J.S. Jenks fundraiser. (Photo by Sue Ann Rybak)

SueAnnRybak

“Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, I got pizza love

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, I got pizza love

Woo ah pizza

Pizza on my brain

Make it pepperoni or make it plain

Oh pizza

My pizza

Woo ah pizza

I got pizza love”

Students from J.S. Jenks Elementary School sang “Pizza Love” at the Friends of J.S. Jenks fundraiser held at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, on Saturday, June 9.

Haviva Goldman, president of the Friends of J.S. Jenks (FOJSJ), an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the educational and enrichment opportunities at the school in Chestnut Hill, said they “were excited that the community embraced the idea of the organization and the fundraiser for the school.”

About 150 people attended the event, which, according to Goldman, raised about $7,500. Goldman said her group received an overwhelming response of “support and encouragement” from local businesses, organizations, and cultural institutions.

“Every store we went into was very supportive and interested in the organization and the school,” Goldman said. “We especially want to thank the church for hosting the event. It was a great venue. It was really generous of them to donate the space.”

Goldman said FOJSJ received donations from the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Chestnut Hill Business Association, the Business Improvement District, the Morris Arboretum, Stagecrafters theater and many more. She added that without the support of the community’s businesses, organizations and cultural institutions, none of this would have been possible.

“It took the work of over 30 parent and community volunteers to make the event happen, along with the support from many businesses and community organizations from Northwest Philadelphia and beyond,” Goldman said. “All startup and event expenses were donated so that the money raised at the event will benefit our students to the fullest.”

FOJSJ’s goal is to raise $36,000, which will enable the school to keep two and a half days of instrumental music if the School District of Philadelphia decides to cut it.

“We hope they don’t,” Goldman said.

Goldman said that if the district doesn’t cut the instrumental music program a portion of the money would remain in reserve.

“Unfortunately, we lost the art teacher for next year,” Goldman said. “We hope to raise enough money to provide stipends to visiting artists and artists-in-residence to come in and work with teachers and students on various art projects.”

She added that FOJSJ is especially concerned about the middle-school students who need to work on their portfolios for high school.

“Even for kids who don’t like art and music it’s important for them to be exposed to it,” Goldman said.

“And for some kids it’s a real outlet.”

Goldman said that before the end of the summer, the board would meet and discuss how FOJSJ can most benefit Jenks’ art and music programs.

“Summer is a good time for planning,” Goldman said. “We will be able to make a fresh start in the new school year.

To download a donation form or to find out more information about the Friends of J.S. Jenks go to